Adopting new friend, advice please! (Moluccan 'Too)

[CrypticDelirium]

First off, I have extensive experience with large birds, I've worked with feather pluckers and biters and I know how loud and needy moluccans are, so no worries, I am not jumping into this with no thought to the requirements.

My hubby and I are going upstate Monday to adopt a 6yr old moluccan who's been through things I can't imagine. All the current owners know is that the landlord found the poor bird abandoned in a tiny cage after hearing screaming for three weeks after the tenants moved out. She pulled out quite a bit of feathers, but the current owners say she's very friendly and not a bit skitish. (I am not counting on this to be entirely true, after what she's been through). I wish we had more time to get to know her but distance and the fact that the first one with cash in hand gets the poor girl hinders that a great deal. I can't imagine what would happen to her if we wait and someone buys her with no knowledge of the species, let alone in her condition.

My only worry is that we currently have a little Quaker named Georgie, who had been through heaven only knows what himself before we adopted him from the rescue. He's a mechanical little thing but we love him terribly! I don't forsee any issues, as we will obviously not house them together, but after we take the 'Too to the vet for a much needed beak trim, nail trim, (It's horrible, her poor feet must be unbearable!) check out for medical issues FIRST, etc, we would like eventually to keep them in the same room so they can "talk" to each other. I know Georgie gets tons of people attention but honestly seems to long for birdie company. He tries to talk to wild birds outside and gets very upset when they leave.

I'm worried Georgie may be a bit jealous, but I wonder if his excitement might overwhelm it? Is there a "best" way to introduce them that might make it easier on both of them, and has anyone gone through something similar? I've never introduced two birds that are so different before. Is it possible that very eventually they could be out together to play? (I ask, but I believe I'd never feel comfortable with thinking that could safely happen.)

Sorry this is so long, just wanted to paint the picture well so anyone offering advice will have as much info as possible.

Thanks so much!

 

[greycloud]

Hello and welcome! Kudos to you for rescuing a bird that is so in need of care and love. I rescued a U2 that also was abandoned for 3 weeks in an apartment. No food or water. The apartment manager found him after neighbors started complaining about noise. They called me and hubs and I picked him up. His nails were 3 inches long and corkscrewed. Feathers and beak were in excellent condition though.
I honestly have to say that you will never be able to let you birds out together. Especially if flighted. They must be kept completely separate of one another. Most moluccans and Toos for that matter, will find every possible way to climb, jump or fly from its cage or playstand. You could purchase a hanging playstand and this may keep him in one place.
These are extremely large birds with big beaks. He could kill your little quaker very easily. I hope that things work out for all of you but I recommend you be very careful.

 

[AndrewH]

Good luck!!! Moluccans are sweet birds, but need someone who knows what they're getting into and fortunately you do.

Be sure to update us when you get the bird.

 

[Spiritbird]

Happy to have you with us. It is a good thing you have bird experience. I describe moluccans as a teenager with the keys to dad's corvette. They are so entertaining. Thanks so much for the rescue.

 

[CrypticDelirium]

I'm very sad. While making finalized plans we learned the poor baby's been living outside on a porch, and they offered to clean the cage since it "hasn't been done in a while". We'll have to switch her to pellet food as she's been eating ONLY seed, and they "didn't know they were supposed to get baths".
They choose to buy this bird from the landlord that found the poor baby, they've had her for a few months now.
I don't think I'm rude, but wow, I don't know if I've ever LITERALLY bitten my lip before. I seriously wonder if they even know what kind of bird it is as they never mentioned it. (I know from pics they sent). Just another sad example of someone thinking "Oh, look, a bird, how AWESOME, let's buy it knowing nothing about it, then not research what it needs even after it's ours, horray!"
Sorry, had to vent a little. Things like this just... hurt, you know?
I can't wait to bring our baby home, Monday just can't come soon enough!!!!!